Advertisement |
The IEA review of EU energy policy is a highly visible and politically important exercise that is very useful for the Commission
IEA lauds European Energy Policy Sep 05, 2008
These projects have the full support of the European Commission
Europe needs more than one pipeline Jul 21, 2009
The Energy Council is a timely initiative in the context of growing global concerns on energy security and the important role that the energy sector has in climate change
EU-U.S. Energy Council launched Wednesday Nov 04, 2009
Iraq represents a vital link for the EU's security of supply
Iraq seeks to cash in on its gas Jan 21, 2010
Iraq represents a vital link for the EU's security of supply
Iraq's $17B Shell deal opens gas drive Jun 30, 2010
Andris Piebalgs (born 17 September 1957) is a Latvian politician and diplomat, currently serving as European Commissioner for Development at the European Commission. Between 2004 and 2010 he served as Commissioner for Energy.
Andris Piebalgs was born on 17 September 1957 in Valmiera, Latvia. Piebalgs is a graduate in Physics from the University of Latvia. Andris Piebalgs is an experienced Latvian politician who occupied key positions in both national and European political fields. Earlier in his career, while Latvia was still part of the Soviet Union, Andris Piebalgs worked as a teacher and was the Headmaster of the 1st Secondary School of Valmiera (1980-1990). He also served as Director of the Department in the Ministry of Education in Latvia. He was a member of Communist Party of Soviet Union from 1979.
In 1988, Latvian People's Front, an organisation that united more than 200 000 people, was established. Supporters of Latvian self-determination gained victory in the elections of the Latvian Parliament on 18 March 1990. It was the first time since the Soviet occupation that candidates from various political parties were allowed to take part. On 7 May 1990, Andris Piebalgs was appointed as Minister of Education in the new Government, and one year later, in August 1991, Latvia regained full independence. Andris Piebalgs' main task was then to put in place the first independent education system in Latvia.